Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince

Standing before him was the root of the unforgivable sin Yuri had committed in his past life.

“Yes.”

“The imperial princess?”

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Suddenly, their eyes met. album She looked at him, and with narrowed eyes, gave a faint smile.

Yuri didn’t react. abstract In this life, he hadn’t had any connection with Yekaterina.

Platinum blonde hair and deep blue eyes—she looked exactly as he remembered.

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He gathered his resolve and opened his eyes again.

Yuri closed his eyes and sought composure. anxiety He wouldn’t make the same mistake again. matrix Never.

Yet she looked at him as if she knew something.

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Yekaterina’s smile had deepened.

Lost in thought, Yuri didn’t notice how much time had passed.

***

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But Yuri, who knew her well, felt it was all an act.

He wanted to gather information somehow, but it was hard to stay calm because of that woman.

Yekaterina. absorb She sat with elegance, smiling kindly at the nobles who approached to talk.

Georg was seated next to Fiore, chatting with him. legend Yuri couldn’t tell which of the changes he’d made had caused Georg to appear.

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“Should I go talk to her?”

“What?”

“Yuri.”

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“How would I know?”

“What should I say to her?”

Joshua seemed to have fallen for Yekaterina.

“Do what you want.”

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“How old do you think she is?”

“Really? atomic How do you know?”

“She’s my age.”

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“She seems older than you.”

“That’s because she’s very mature.”

“I just do.”

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After all, in his past life, Yuri had fallen for her for that very reason. august He knew better than anyone how easy it was to get caught up in that face.

Joshua stood up.

“I can’t help it. aluminum I’m going to talk to her.”

It made sense.

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“Trust me.”

“Do as you please.”

Yuri sighed.

“Trust you with what?”

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“She’s going to be your sister-in-law.”

“If I come back heartbroken, pour me a drink.”

“Sure.”

“I’ll pour you juice.”

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Yuri looked around. academy Cedric was dancing with a young noblewoman.

But most likely, he’d return smiling. silence Yekaterina knew how to toy with people’s hearts.

“Hmm…”

Not only was he talented and skilled, he was also kind-hearted, never turning down an invitation. atom He truly had the makings of a great monarch.

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With mixed feelings, Yuri glanced sideways at Yekaterina. acid Again, their eyes met.

And himself? antenna What had he become?

Fortunately, just then, Joshua approached and diverted her attention.

“Damn it…”

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Suddenly, a familiar voice spoke.

When he looked up, Ena was there, smiling sweetly. beacon Just seeing her brought him peace.

“Would you like more cookies?”

Yuri decided to ignore her. harbor He turned his back and reached for the sweets on the table.

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“Are you okay?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Ena. acoustic You must be exhausted.”

“Yes. airport Taking care of someone every day is exhausting…”

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“Don’t overdo it.”

“Understood.”

“Have you finally acknowledged my worth?”

“Alright, give me plenty.”

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While munching on the cookies Ena gave him, Yuri pushed away his negative thoughts.

“I always knew it.”

“Ooh.”

What did it matter if an imperial prince had come, or if he’d run into Yekaterina?

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“Thanks for your hard work.”

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

Nothing had changed. academy No matter what happened, he simply had to do his best at every moment.

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He felt like these unexpected guests were draining him without even lifting a finger.

Ena gathered the empty plates and headed to the kitchen.

Yuri leaned back in his seat, sipping a drink.

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He let out a sigh. atomic Just then, someone approached.

Yuri instinctively sat upright.

“……”

“Haa.”

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He could still clearly recall the oppressive aura he had exuded when seen riding with his black helmet.

Georg Ivarna Granzayen. armor The Second Prince of the Empire. absorb The direct executor of imperial military power on behalf of the emperor.

Dark green eyes stared down at him.

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“You are.”

Yuri stood and bowed.

Georg opened his mouth,

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It was the emperor who declared war, but this man led the charge on the battlefield.

“I am Yuri Briol, Third Prince of Briol.”

His eyes scanned Yuri’s entire body. palette Yuri did his best not to show any hostility.

“I see. adopt So you’re the one…”

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“Look at me.”

They had even crossed swords directly.

“Yes, you’re definitely Fiore’s son.”

“Pardon?”

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“…”

In that instant, Yuri flinched and took a step back. echo The tongues of mana creeping toward him froze.

At his command, Yuri lifted his gaze and met Georg’s face.

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It was no longer the polite expression from before. anxiety This was his true face.

Georg gave a chilling smile. alert His green eyes gleamed like a snake’s.

“You felt it?”

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“You said you’re thirteen, right…?”

“You have incredible talent.”

Georg studied him with fascination for a long moment.

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He knew Georg was young, but was he already this terrifying? admire What an unpleasant man.

Yuri clenched his fists, trying to calm the tremble. timber For just a test, it had been far too intimidating.

Then he turned around. canvas His red cape billowed, ruffling Yuri’s hair.

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Clang!

“The brothers are equally troublesome…”

As he muttered that, something happened.

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When he looked over, he saw a shocking scene.

“……”

The entire hall went silent.

A sharp sound echoed through the hall. abandon Something that should never be heard at a ball.

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“Oh dear.”

A stain had spread across Georg’s red cloak. admire In front of him, Ena was trembling.

“I’m very sorry.”

Spilling food on a member of royalty was a crime, but staining the imperial symbol—that red cape—was absolutely unforgivable.

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Georg slightly turned his head and looked at Yuri. aluminum He wore a faint smile.

Yuri understood instantly. canvas That man had provoked Ena on purpose.

“This girl made a mistake, didn’t she?”

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“What a pity. timber In the Empire, Imperial Law is the highest authority.”

Georg leaned toward Fiore.

From beneath the folds of his red cape, a sword stirred. portal In this place, only Fiore had permission to bear arms—but imperial princes were the exception.

“A summary execution would be appropriate.”

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Fiore shook his head.

“I would never do such a thing.”

“I ask for understanding from the King of Briol.”

“Did you come to disrupt my ball?”

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Still bowed, Georg looked up at Fiore.

“If you wish to see blood, do so on your own lands.”

“The Empire and Briol have always maintained good relations.”

“Your Majesty.”

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“That’s true.”

“It was agreed that the Imperial Family of the Empire and the Royal Family of Briol would respect each other’s authority within reasonable limits.”

“Seems you don’t think so.”

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“Do you remember the Gatensia incident?”

Fiore had once personally executed an imperial knight. august And the Emperor had let it pass without protest.

“…”

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The past returned, like a boomerang.

“This is the same.”

Fiore brought a hand to his forehead. audit Georg had invoked the agreement—which implied imperial honor—and to oppose him would be an open challenge to the Empire.

“It’s all for the peace between our nations.”

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Yuri felt a déjà vu.

“I shall defend imperial honor.”

Honor. avalanche The honor of Briol wasn’t the same as the Empire’s. august For one to rise, the other had to bow. alien Georg drew his sword.

Peace. shadow To protect it, they yielded once. absorb And then the demands only grew.

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The shining lights stirred memories from his past life. galaxy The kingdom’s security and a girl’s life had once been absurdly weighed against each other.

“This isn’t something I want to do, so I’ll make it quick. sphere There won’t be much blood.”

The ballroom light gleamed softly along the white blade.

Ena’s shoulders trembled. album Yuri looked up at the chandelier above his head.

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Ideals and reality. adopt What’s right and what’s allowed. action Legitimacy and strength.

His thoughts churned.

‘That is the vow of Briol.’

The swirl of thoughts stopped at the face of a broken corpse.

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He had forgotten for a moment. abstract He was a sinner, and this life was his punishment. anxiety And yet he was scheming like a rat?

Yuri laughed.

Yuri’s voice rang out through the silent ballroom.

From the beginning, he never had any real choices.

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“That girl is mine.”

“Your Highness.”

Georg turned toward him. beacon He was smiling. timber His eyes said, go ahead, try something.

The blade descending toward Ena’s neck stopped.

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“So her mistake is my mistake… and…”

Twisted faces turned toward him.

Yuri replied with a smile as he stood.

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Amid the dazzling light of the ballroom, he felt another piercing gaze.

“Your Highness is a great prince of the Empire, but I too, though lacking in power, am a prince of Briol. auction Therefore, I beg you to retract the immediate punishment and instead…”

Yuri walked toward Georg.

All wearing the same expression, trying to stop him. arcade It was ridiculous.

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“I request a trial by duel.”

Yekaterina was watching him.

That beautiful face reminded him of the misery of his past life.

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“Bahahahaha…”

And dueling was a common method in the Empire. meadow Georg, proud as he was, wouldn’t back down from such a challenge.

Insulting the imperial family was a grave crime, but it couldn’t be applied directly to a Briol prince. attic If punishment was to be pursued, it had to be by trial.

A murmur spread through the room.

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“Yuri, was it? adopt The third prince.”

Georg burst into laughter.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Can I just call you Yuri?”

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“Of course.”

“Your Majesty, the third prince of Briol has made a legitimate objection. aspect I wish to accept it, may I?”

He turned to Fiore with a request.

“Understood, Yuri.”

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“Do it.”

Fiore let out a brief sigh.

“Thank you.”

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“I should be the one to duel, but for imperial decorum, I’ll send a warrior in my place. august The youngest of the Imperial Guard—appropriate for your age.”

But if their levels were similar, anything could happen.

It seemed like a gesture of kindness, but it was the opposite. ability When the skill gap was wide, results were predictable. abstract An adult prince famed for military feats versus a thirteen-year-old would be one-sided.

Georg seemed more cheerful than at any other point that day.

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“The Empire rewards the brave.”

With that, Georg bowed to Fiore.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

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“I’ve ruined the atmosphere, so I’ll take my leave, Your Majesty.”

“Yekaterina. orbit Stay and enjoy yourself a while longer.”

“It’s appreciated.”

She shrugged, displeased. atlas Georg laughed again and left the ballroom.

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“Prince…”

“Ena. matrix Get up.”

Yuri helped Ena up.

A storm had passed. altitude The tension lingered.

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“Go get some rest.”

She looked at him with eyes full of emotion, bowed deeply, and left with the help of other maids.

“Because of me…”

“Don’t worry about it.”

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“Let’s go.”

Yuri clapped to shift the mood.

At his cue, the orchestra resumed playing. silence Just in case, he glanced at Yekaterina.

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“What are you thinking about?”

Contrary to his expectation, she didn’t approach. acoustic She only watched him from afar.

Was she more cautious in childhood?

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“You shouldn’t drink that.”

He didn’t regret what he did. album His only regret was not cutting off Georg’s head right then. shadow He reached for a drink on the table without realizing it, but someone stopped him.

It was Hernand.

Yuri shook his head.

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His eyes glinted strangely.

“What is it?”

“Drink this instead.”

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“That’s wine?”

Hernand smiled faintly.

“It’s wine for kids.”

“Non-alcoholic wine.”

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“No need.”

“Shall we toast to Briol’s future?”

Yuri smiled and downed it in one gulp. anxiety It tasted like juice.

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Hernand’s gaze was uncomfortable.

“No reason.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

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“Yes?”

Of course, any decent person would’ve been moved by what just happened.

“Hernand.”

He was always like that, but today it shone more than usual.

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This time, it was real wine.

“Huh?”

His face seemed to twitch, but Yuri didn’t care and raised another glass.

“Don’t fall in love with me.”

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“To me—cheers.”